—Yes; Roscoe Conkling.
Would you call him a good kicker or bootist?
—Yes; tip-top.
What proof have you of this?
—When Hayes and Sherman kicked Cornell out of office, Roscoe kicked him back on them as governor of the state of New York. When they kicked Arthur out of the custom-house, Roscoe kicked him into the second place on the Republican ticket.
Any further proof?
—Yes; he kicked Evarts to New York to talk for Cornell, whom, as before said, the administration kicked out. John Sherman was afraid of his toe when he spoke lately at Washington in favor of the man whom he forced the President to kick out, saying he was unfit for the office he held. At last it looks as if Roscoe was going to kick himself into talking for Garfield, whom he despises.
Why should he do that?
—Oh! it's only the "machine" working.
I don't understand.